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My favorite department store is in financial trouble filing for Chapter 11 protection yesterday. The rumor that Boscov's will close it's Wilkes-Barre store has popped up over the last few years but now it may be closer to reality.
I would hate to see it go because I usually do my Christmas shopping there instead of dealing with the overcrowded malls and the prices are better.
Al Boscov stuck with Wilkes-Barre during the dark days when he would have been justified closing the doors when the square was looking like a ghost town. And he was instrumental in getting my favorite entertainment venue, The Kirby Center, off the ground:
Businessman Al Boscov drew praise when he acquired the Fowler, Dick and Walker: The Boston Store, one of the last remaining downtown department stores in Wilkes-Barre, in 1980. He opened his store on South Main Street in 1981. Four years later, Boscov, August L. Simms, attorney John Moses and the F.M. Kirby Foundation assembled a team of local business and civic leaders and put together a drive that raise $3.3 million to acquire and restore the old Paramount Theater. Thanks to the funds raised, the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts opened on Sept. 19, 1986.
And whenever I have to go downtown I park in their garage. It's free if you buy something so the free parking usually costs me about 50 bucks by the time I get done shopping.
3 comments:
Mr. Boscov had within him the true spirit of American enteprenuership. He was living proof that economic recovery is possible without government intervention. I understand that downtown Wilkes-Barre remains a shell of its former self (the good old days when the square actually "looked" like a square), and that the lack of adequate police protection from the crack addicts on the square prevents those law abiding shoppers within Boscov's from coming out onto the square and patronizing another business for a bite to eat or a cup of coffee. However, we must admit that we have on one to blame for this sorry situation but ourselves. When we spoil our children, they grow up expecting anything and at any cost. So what if the sweet old lady is getting around with the help of a cane, little Johnny wants his crack and so he wants her money. We all understand, don't we? The true solution for the problems of downtown W-B is to clean it up of crime. Whether Boscov's survives or not, it shall have little impact on the other businesses around it since most of Boscov's shoppers are in town to spend some money, not to stroll out to the OK Corrall. Class dismissed.
Sorry Prof but I've been working in downtown W-B for over 10 years and have never witnessed a crime like you are describing. I often shop at Boscov's and patronize many of the other shops and restaurants and have never felt threatened.
Not surprised about these findings, unfortunately. I love Boscov's as much as the next guy, and hope they pull out of this, but I highly doubt they will. Welcome to the Wal-Mart Universe.
What puzzles me most is why they denied there was a financial problem only to file bakruptcy a few days later. Just be upfront and honest, consumers will find out what's going on eventually anyway.
Now, I just need to find a picture of that Register Roulette ad they have so I can 'shop it. "Bankruptcy Roulette"
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